Hello, and Happy New Year! I know it feels like ages have passed, but January 1st was only three weeks ago. The New Year’s resolution plan you already ditched on January 3rd can still be achieved. Don’t give up!
Striving for Balance in Work and Life
Anyway, if you have been with me for a while, you know that it has become a tradition to spend Christmas and New Year’s with my family in Brazil. It is a very important connection and a way to recharge my batteries and clear my mind.
In the past, it has been a struggle because I was a one-man band. When I went away, I had three choices: 1. stay for a very short period, 2. disconnect completely from business, and return to a sprint trying to catch up with piles of work including emails, calls, text messages, and bills or 3. be on vacation working-mode (whatever that means).
When I moved to Tampa six months ago, I thought I had found a solution to my overwork, workaholic type of lifestyle (yes, even on vacation). Since the goal of heading to Florida was to slow down and have more free time, in my head “I had that covered” and I would not have much work to catch up upon returning to the grinder.
Boy, was I wrong!
As I kept our operation in Boston, I had to rethink how to communicate with clients remotely, manage schedules and inventory away from the physical location, and train and support my team through technology such as FaceTime, phone calls, and messaging apps.
I also put a lot of focus on redesigning my consulting and training services business, Trading Up. I went from mostly online to mostly onsite training and online support. With that change, it came with more travel time and less behind-the-desk work.
Since not staying in the office was becoming a trend, I decided to replicate the new business model in Tampa. Not to mention that we also have a short-term rental in Kissimmee (near Disney) that was managed by a 3rd party and now that too is under our belt.
If we count that correctly, there are now four different areas that require attention. Not exactly the slowdown I had anticipated…lol
But guess what? Ana and I are Brazilian Beasts and we roll with the punches. So bring it on!
A very big help occurred in November when I hired an office manager to keep up with all the different inboxes, paperwork, invoicing, and calendars and keep me on a short leash.
Obviously, with so much going on, we are still adjusting, improving, and dropping balls along the way. Not sure in what order exactly.
The last four weeks proved that we are making progress. International calls, high-speed internet, and different time zones allowed our companies to keep servicing our clients while I was in Brazil.
My team allowed me to travel with my mom and sister while enjoying the benefits of my hard-earned money and ultimately fulfilling a dream of running my business without being IN the business.
But don’t worry, if you are afraid that I am becoming one of those CEOs that has seven layers before you even get to talk to them, I am not. I am a people person, a hands-on type of guy, and I won’t give up on being who I am. I guarantee that you are stuck with me – haha.
So when you are ready to replace your window treatments, get some training on installation, or need a place for your next vacation in Florida, you can still call my cell at 508-904–2108 or email me directly here.
As always, your support, comments, and encouragement are the fuel that keeps us moving.
Much love and success in 2024.
See you next month from somewhere in the world.
Roger Magalhaes
